Suspended Electronic Display and Cooling Assembly

ABSTRACT

An electronic display assembly for suspending an electronic display from one or more elongate members is disclosed. A closed loop of circulating fluid, such as air, may be placed within a sealed electronics compartment. An open loop channel may permit fluid, such as ambient air, to pass through the assembly via a channel defined by the space between the back pan and the electronic display. A pair of passageways preferably extend vertically along the assembly and are configured to accommodate the passage of an elongate member. Clamps may be utilized within these passageways to secure the assembly to the elongate members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/553,086 filed on Nov. 25, 2014 which is incorporated by reference asif fully recited herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to mounting andcooling systems for electronic displays.

BACKGROUND

Electronic displays are sometimes used in outdoor environments or otherareas where the surrounding temperatures may be high or there may beother sources of heat such as solar loading causing the temperatureswithin the display to rise. However, some portions of the display can bedifficult to cool as simply ingesting ambient air into some portions ofthe display can introduce dust and contaminates into sensitive portionsof the display, which can lead to premature failures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

Exemplary embodiments may comprise two separate flow paths for a fluid,such as air, through an electronic display. A first flow path may be aclosed loop and a second flow path may be an open loop. The closed looppath circulating in a sealed electronics compartment defined by the backpan, a perimeter wall, and a rear cover. The closed loop may furthercirculate around and through partitions placed within the sealedelectronics compartment. The second flow path may be an open loopdefined by a channel between the back pan and the electronic display.The open loop may be configured to draw ambient gas (e.g. ambient air)through the display assembly and be exhausted out the display housing.Both the open and closed flow path may contain fans for moving the air.

Exemplary embodiments further comprise passageways configured toaccommodate elongate members that extend through the housing. Thepassageways may be placed outside of the sealed electronics compartmentand further comprise at least one clamp placed within each passageway.The clamps may be configured to accommodate the elongate members andsuspend the assembly from a support, such as from a frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of thepresent invention will be readily apparent from the followingdescriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein likereference numerals across the several views refer to identical orequivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the electronic display assemblyhoused in a frame and showing the locations of Detail B.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the electronic display assembly ofFIG. 1 and showing the location of Detail A.

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of Detail A shown in FIG. 2 andshowing the location of Detail C.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of Detail B shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of Detail C shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a rear planar view of the assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated withthe rear cover removed and showing the location of section line A-A aswell as Detail D.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 6 taken alongsection line A-A of and indicating Detail E.

FIG. 8 is a rear detailed view of Detail D shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a detailed section view of Detail E shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a rear planar view of the assembly of FIG. 1, illustratedwith the rear cover in place and indicating section lines B-B and C-C.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 10 taken alongsection line B-B of and indicating Detail F.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of Detail F shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 10 taken alongsection line CC of and indicating Detail G.

FIG. 14 is a detailed view of Detail G shown in FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference toillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments(and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations fromthe shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, ofmanufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus,embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to theparticular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the electronic display assemblyhoused in a frame and showing the locations of Detail B. In an exemplaryembodiment, an electronic display assembly 20 may be suspended from anupper support 10. The electronic display assembly 20 is preferablysuspended from the upper support 10 by one or more elongate members 15.The upper support 10 may be configured such that the electronic displayassembly 20 is suspended at or near a window. The electronic displayassembly 20 may display information such as advertisements, marketingmaterials, directions, weather, maps, or other consumer media. The uppersupport 10 may be any fixture of the environment that is capable ofsupporting the weight of the electronic display assembly 20. In anexemplary embodiment, the upper support 10 may comprise a beam orceiling joist that is oriented substantially horizontal and above thefloor. In some embodiments, the upper support 10 may comprise a beamplaced in the roof or ceiling or may be a free standing structure.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of Detail B shown in FIG. 1. Theelectronic display assembly 20 may be comprised of a front cover 30 anda rear cover 25. The front cover 30 may frame the display 35 and extendaround at least a portion of the exterior sides of the assembly. Thefront cover may further comprise a slot 5 configured to accommodate thepassage of elongate member 15. Elongate member 15 may be secured withinthe electronic display assembly 20. Rear cover 25 may be configured toextend over substantially the entire rear exterior and a portion ofselect exterior sides of the electronic display assembly 20. The frontcover 30 and rear cover 25 are preferably configured to be assembledsuch that together they substantially surround and protect theelectronic display 35 and related internal components while permittingthe viewing of the display 35. Further, the front cover 30 and rearcover 25 may be configured to provide an aperture 22 runningsubstantially the length of the top and bottom exterior sides of theelectronic display assembly 20. The aperture 22 may be configured topermit the flow of the open loop fluid. In an exemplary embodiment, thisopen loop fluid is ambient air.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the device of FIG. 4. The elongatemember 15 extends through front cover 30 via an accommodating slot 5.

FIG. 6 is a rear planar view of the assembly of FIG. 1, illustrated withthe rear cover removed and showing the location of section line A-A aswell as Detail D. This view illustrates some of the inner components ofthe assembly. The electronic display assembly 20 may be suspended fromupper support 10 by at least one elongate member 15. These elongatemembers 15 preferably extend though the electronic display assembly 20in passageways defined by the space between side walls 80 and exteriorwalls 82, and are secured therein, such as by clamps 45. This embodimentillustrates two elongate members 15, but other embodiments of theinvention may contain any number of elongate members 15. Further, anynumber of clamps 45 are also contemplated.

From this view, a back pan 70 can be seen located behind a backlight 75.The rear cover 25, such as of FIG. 5, is not shown in the present figurein order to illustrate the interior components of this embodiment,however, rear cover 25 is generally placed behind the back pan 70 andatop a compartment side wall 80. The space between back pan 70, rearcover 25, and side wall 80 may define a sealed compartment 84 thatcomprises a closed loop for circulating fluid. The interior space may bedefined by a side wall 80 which is placed around a perimeter of the backpan 70. In said closed loop, a fluid preferably circulates to distributeand transfer heat emanating from the interior electronic components 72to the back pan 70.

The electronic components 72 illustrated are merely exemplary, any size,location, or number of components are contemplated. Said closed loopfluid may be air, preferably air that is free of particulate. Saidclosed loop may be further partitioned by a horizontal partition 65 anda vertical partition 55, which both preferably seal with the rear cover25, when the rear cover 25 is placed atop the horizontal partition 65and vertical partition 55. Said horizontal partition 65 and verticalpartition 55 are preferably secured atop back pan 70 such thathorizontal partition 65 adjoins vertical partition 55 perpendicularlyand near an edge of horizontal partition 55.

As further illustrated in subsequent figures, the horizontal partition65 and vertical partition 55 may be configured to partition the closedloop with select apertures in said partitions that permit and directfluid flow through said apertures, thereby controlling and directing thecirculation of the closed loop fluid. Any number of apertures arecontemplated on both the horizontal partition 65 and the verticalpartition 55. Fans 50 may be placed above select apertures to force thecirculation of the closed loop fluids. Alternatively, the circulationmay be accomplished by natural convection or quiescent flow. It iscontemplated that any number of fans 50 may be used on any number ofapertures on both the horizontal partition 65 and the vertical partition55.

In the illustrated embodiment, the closed loop may primarily flow froman interior space below horizontal partition 65, via two fans 50 locatedatop apertures in the horizontal partition 65, and into an interiorspace above the horizontal partition 65, over the top edge of thevertical partition 55, down along a channel extending along the side ofthe vertical partition 55, and back into the interior space below thehorizontal partition 65, thereby forming a continuous closed loop. Whileshown flowing in a clockwise direction here, embodiments could becounter-clockwise as well.

An open loop of fluid, such an ambient air, may be drawn into the bottomof the electronic display assembly 20 by fans 60 located at the bottomof the display. Alternatively, open loop fluid circulation may beaccomplished by quiescent flow or natural convection. Any number of fansare contemplated. As will be explained in greater detail in subsequentfigures, the fluid may then pass vertically through assembly 20 in aninterior space between the back pan 70 and a rear surface of thebacklight 75. The fluid may then be exhausted out the top of theassembly from a gap between the back pan 70 and the backlight 75 andoutside the electronic display assembly 20 through aperture 22 betweenfront cover 30 and rear cover 25 at the top of the electronic displayassembly 20. The open loop may further comprise a filter, although notrequired, but could be located along the loop near the fans 60, toeliminate particulate from the circulating fluid, such as dust andmoisture.

Turning now to FIG. 7, the interior space defining the closed loop maybe further defined by side walls 80, which preferably seal the closedloop when the rear cover 25 is in place to prevent ambient air,moisture, and particulate from entering the closed loop cavity. Thehorizontal partition 65 blocks a portion of the airflow in the closedloop such that the airflow is directed from a bottom chamber to a topchamber through the horizontal partition 65 via select aperturestherein. The select apertures may additionally comprise fans 50 atopsaid apertures to direct and stimulate airflow. The closed loop airflowis further directed by vertical partition 55, which blocks a portion ofthe closed loop airflow and may direct said airflow through selectapertures therein. The side channel extends from the lower to the upperchamber and completes the closed loop. Passageways 62 and 64 are definedby side walls 80 and exterior walls 82 on each respective side andpermit the passage of elongate members 15, as is further detailedherein.

FIG. 8 illustrates how the electronic display assembly 20 can be,optionally, suspended by elongate members 15 and secured by clamps 45.The elongate member 15 may run through passageways 62 and 64 located onthe sides of the assembly, inside exterior walls 82, and be attachedtherein by clamps 45. Any number of clamps 45 are contemplated.Referring additionally to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, preferably, in thisembodiment, a pair of clamps 45 secure the elongate members 15 near thetop of the assembly 20, another pair of clamps 45 secure the elongatemembers 15 at approximately the midpoint of the assembly 20, and a finalpair of clamps 45 secure the elongate members 15 near the bottom of theassembly 20. In one embodiment, the clamps 45 comprise a plate 48configured to accommodate the passage of elongate members 15 beneath anda pair of mounting apertures 47 passing through the plate. The mountingapertures 47 may permit a securing member, such as a threaded fastener46, to pass through and be secured to the assembly 20 (when the fastener46 and plate 48 draw against the front cover 25, rear cover 30, or thedisplay 35). As the threaded fastener 46 is tightened, the clamps 45 mayfrictionally engage the elongate members 15 to secure the elongatemembers 15. The elongate members 15 may be made of a suitably hightensile strength material, such as metallic cable or wire rope. Theclamps 45 may be made of a suitably strong material, such as a metal,polymer, or composite.

FIG. 9 The open loop may be defined by a channel, indicated generally at40, extending between the back pan 70 and the backlight 75. Said channel40 extends substantially vertically between the top and bottom of theelectronic display assembly 20. The closed loop may be defined by thespace defined between the back pan 70, rear cover 25, and on the sidesby side walls 80 which may surround the sealed compartment 84. Thehorizontal partition 65 preferably lies atop the back pan 70 and ispreferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the back pan 70.Vertical partition 55 may extend substantially perpendicular to andadjoins a side of horizontal partition 65. Side wall 80 preferably sealsand encloses the sealed compartment 84. The side channel, indicatedgenerally at 85, is defined by the space between vertical partition 55and side wall 80. As previously illustrated, elongate member 15 extendsthrough the electronic display assembly 20 via passageway 64 defined bythe space between side walls 80 and exterior walls 82, and is securedtherein by clamps 45.

FIG. 10 is substantially the same as FIG. 6 with the rear cover 25 inplace. FIG. 10 illustrates a rear view of the electronic displayassembly with the rear cover 25 in place. The rear cover 25 coverssubstantially the entirety of the rear of the electronic displayassembly 20. The elongate members 15 preferably extend from the supports10 through the electronic display assembly 20. The rear cover 25 issecured in place by a securing mechanism, such as spring locks 90.Alternatively, other securing mechanisms such as threaded fasteners,pins, hooks, slots, and the like may be used to secure rear cover 25 inplace.

Elongate member 15 preferably passes through the entirety of theelectronic display assembly 20. Alternatively, multiple elongate members15 may be utilized which terminate within the electronic displayassembly 20.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 12, the open loop exhaust can be seenexiting the top of the electronic display assembly via aperture 22. Hookbracket 95 is secured to rear cover 25. The hook bracket 95 contains anaccommodating slot 110 that accommodates a side rail 105, therebysecuring the rear cover 25 in place. Any bracket configuration andaccommodating slot design is contemplated. Alternatively, other securingmechanisms such as threaded fasteners, pins, or the like arecontemplated.

The rear cover 25, in part, defines the rear wall of the sealedcompartment 84, as previously explained. The rear cover 25 may comprisea closed loop gasket 100, which is preferably sandwiched between theside wall 80 and the rear cover 25. The closed loop gasket 100 may besandwiched between the side wall 80 and the bottom surface of rear cover25, thereby preferably creating an air-tight seal. The closed loopgasket 100 may be comprised of rubber, silicone, a polymer, or compoundsthereof. Alternatively, any other suitably flexible and impermeablematerial may be utilized. The shape of the illustrated closed loopgasket 100 is merely exemplary, other known gasket shapes and designsare contemplated. Alternatively, the side walls 80 may have anintegrated gasket. Further still, the side wall 80 may extend to thebottom surface of the rear cover 25 with a possible interference fit,thereby sealing the closed loop and no gasket is required. Someembodiments may place a protective transparent plate 77 in front of thedisplay 35, which could be glass, plastic, or a composite material.

FIG. 13 is substantially similar to FIG. 7, except the rear cover 25 isin place, which preferably covers substantially the entirety of the rearof the assembly.

FIG. 14 is substantially similar to FIG. 9, except the rear cover 25 isin place and may further define the sealed compartment 84. Closed loopgasket 100, if used, preferably extends between the top edge of sidewall 80 and the front surface of the rear cover 25, thereby creating anair-tight seal, further defining the closed loop.

It should also be noted that the variety of open and closed coolingloops that are shown in the figures may be shown in a horizontal orvertical arrangement but it is clearly contemplated that this can bereversed or changed depending on the particular embodiment. Thus, theclosed loop may run horizontally or vertically and in a clockwise orcounter-clockwise direction. Further, the open loop may also behorizontal or vertical and can run left to right, right to left, and topto bottom, or bottom to top.

The display 35 can be any type of electronic display, but is preferablya flat panel electronic display. An exemplary embodiment may include aliquid crystal display as the display 35 and preferably would be adirect LED backlit LCD display, but could also be an OLED, plasma, orelectroluminescent polymer.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention,those skilled in the art will realize that many variations andmodifications may be made to affect the described invention and still bewithin the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally, many of theelements indicated above may be altered or replaced by differentelements which will provide the same result and fall within the spiritof the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit theinvention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.

We claim:
 1. A suspended electronic display assembly comprising: anelectronic display; a pair or elongate members; a compartment positionedbehind the electronic display; and a plurality of clamps located outsideof the compartment wherein each of the plurality of clamps is sized toaccept the elongate member.
 2. The suspended electronic display of claim1 further comprising: a fan placed within the compartment.
 3. Thesuspended electronic display of claim 1 further comprising: a partitionplaced within the compartment.
 4. The suspended electronic display ofclaim 1 further comprising: a pair of vertical passageway locatedoutside of the compartment and having at least one clamp located in eachof the vertical passageways.
 5. The suspended electronic display ofclaim 1 further comprising: a channel defined between a rear surface ofthe electronic display and a front surface of the compartment.
 6. Thesuspended electronic display of claim 5 further comprising: a fanpositioned to draw ambient air into the channel.
 7. The suspendedelectronic display of claim 1 wherein: the compartment is comprised of aback pan, wall, and rear cover.
 8. An suspended electronic displaycomprising: at least one electronic display; a sealed compartmentpositioned behind the electronic display; a pair of vertical passagewaysextending along either side of the electronics compartment; a pair ofelongate members that extends through each of the vertical passageways;and at least one clamp located in each of the vertical passageways sizedto accommodate the elongate members.
 9. The suspended electronic displayof claim 8, the further comprising: a barrier located within the sealedcompartment.
 10. The suspended electronic display of claim 9 wherein:the barrier is oriented horizontally.
 11. The suspended electronicdisplay of claim 9 wherein: the barrier is oriented vertically.
 12. Thesuspended electronic display of claim 8 further comprising: a fanlocated within the sealed compartment.
 13. The suspended electronicdisplay of claim 8 further comprising: a channel defined between a rearsurface of the electronic display and a front surface of the sealedcompartment.
 14. The suspended electronic display of claim 8 wherein:the sealed compartment is defined by: a back pan positioned behind theelectronic display and having a perimeter; a wall extending theperimeter of the back pan; and a rear cover placed atop the wall.
 15. Asuspended electronic display comprising: an electronic display; a backpan positioned behind the electronic display to define a channel betweenthe back pan and the electronic display having a left vertical edge anda right vertical edge; a first vertical passageway extending along theleft vertical edge of the channel and second vertical passagewayextending along the right vertical edge of the channel; and at least oneelongate member located in each of the vertical passageways.
 16. Thesuspended electronic display of claim 15 further comprising: a rearcover positioned atop of the back pan to substantially surround the rearsurface of the electronic display.
 17. The suspended electronic displayof claim 16 further comprising: a sealed chamber defined by the backpan, the first vertical passage, the second vertical passage, and therear cover.
 18. The suspended electronic display of claim 17 furthercomprising: a fan placed within the sealed chamber.
 19. The suspendedelectronic display of claim 17 further comprising: a partition placedwithin the sealed chamber.
 20. The suspended electronic display of claim15 further comprising: a plurality of clamps sized to accept theelongate members wherein at least one of the clamps is located in eachof the first and second vertical passageways.